Southern Cumberland Conservation Initiatives Associate

Conservation Initiatives Associate

Salary Range: $63,000 – $83,000
FLSA Status: Exempt

About the Open Space Institute

The Open Space Institute is a national leader in land conservation and efforts to make parks and other protected land more welcoming for all. Since 1974, OSI has partnered in the protection of more than 2.5 million at-risk and environmentally sensitive acres in the eastern U.S. OSI’s land protection promotes clean air and water, improves access to recreation, provides wildlife habitat, strengthens communities, and combats the devastating impacts of extreme weather.

Program Summary

The Capital Strategies (CS) team of the Open Space Institute brings innovative leadership to accelerate the impact and effectiveness of land protection while mobilizing regional resilience in the face of climate change. CS oversees major conservation grant programs and provides a wide range of technical assistance and support to land trusts and community organizations to achieve these goals. CS is currently active in New England (Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts); the Middle Atlantic (New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware); and the southeast (North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia). Since 2003, CS has made over 90 land protection grants and loans totaling almost $90 million to protect 1.6 million acres of land complemented by 93 planning grants for conservation organizations to integrate climate and water science into conservation plans. Through these efforts, we demonstrate new approaches to conservation and build the capacity of the field.

Position Summary

This Conservation Initiatives Associate role supports program coordination, grant administration, land acquisition activities, and stakeholder engagement to advance community-centered conservation in the tristate area around Chattanooga, TN. The Associate will work closely with the Director of Capital Grants and collaborate across the organization to implement established conservation strategies, administer grant programs, and strengthen partnerships. This position is full-time and based in Chattanooga, TN, with 10–15% regional travel to meet with grantees, landowners, and partners; assist with monitoring land transactions; support the Resilient Communities program with Thrive Regional Partnership; and provide day-to-day assistance to grantee partners. The Associate will support development of project pipelines, conduct project research and analysis, prepare draft funding recommendations, and help manage projects through closing in coordination with OSI legal staff. As capacity allows, the Associate will contribute to outreach that advances the use of climate science and community resilience practices.

Responsibilities & Duties

Outreach (30%)

• • • Support outreach to land trusts, landowners, and public agency officials in the region.
    • Assist OSI Communications team with drafting content for press releases to amplify awareness of focus regions, funders, and grantee projects.
    • Serve as a point of contact for prospective grantees/borrowers, landowners, and partners.
    • Assist partners with identifying funding strategies and connections to funders.
    • Help integrate science into conservation planning and decisions and project evaluations.
    • Organize and participate in meetings of grantees and advisors and create an efficient platform for sharing information with these and other stakeholders.
    • Support the Director of Capital Grants and Development team with fundraising activities.
    • Attend and represent OSI at land trust gatherings and other convenings in the region.
    • Respond to general inquiries and maintain contact records.

Grant and Loan Program Administration (15%)

• • • Assist in preparing Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and draft project evaluations.
    • Track grantee and borrower compliance with grant and loan terms under the team supervision.
    • Support the administration of southeast programs for advancing community resilience and forest carbon protections.
    • Maintain project schedules and internal tracking systems.
    • Review grant and loan documentation to ensure compliance with the terms of OSI agreements.
    • Work with grantees and the OSI legal department on due-diligence to ensure grantee compliance with fund terms.
    • Pursue training and professional development to build program expertise.

Direct Land Acquisition (20%)

• • • Support maintenance of a pipeline of conservation acquisition projects that further OSI’s mission.
    • Assist interdepartmental teams with project due diligence and funds development.
    • Help communicate with landowners, agencies & project partners, and funders to advance land acquisitions.

Research and Analysis (15%)

• • • Prepare draft summaries of key conservation trends and funding opportunities to solicit cooperation from state agencies on new funding mechanisms and land protection approaches.
    • Assist with policy and research opportunities in the region that would leverage OSI’s conservation and community access (or resilience) goals.
    • Maintain pipeline of pending and potential land transactions.
    • Assist OSI legal staff in due diligence of loan applications; prepare funding recommendations.

Resilient Communities (20%)

• • • Work with the Director of Capital Grants and Thrive Regional Partnership to help deliver the Resilient Communities program.
    • Attend regular community meetings and document outcomes.
    • Support teams and partners on science-based approaches for addressing resilience with nature-based solutions.
    • Help draft reports and recommendations.
    • Support current and past communities in their implementation of nature-based resilience strategies.

Skills/Core Competencies

• • • Knowledge of conservation finance and related topics.
    • Basic understanding of the field of land conservation and resilience science.
    • Familiarity with conservation biology, watershed ecology, water quality, and/or agriculture.
    • High emotional intelligence with the ability to meaningfully connect with constituents and build relationships while exercising respect and humility.
    • Familiarity with land and loan transactions is a plus.
    • Familiarity with the geography of the mountainous southeast.
    • Experience with mapping and related GIS analysis is a plus.
    • Familiarity of relevant funding agencies, programs, NGOs, and key personnel.
    • Excellent organizational, analytical, and interpersonal skills.
    • Demonstrated commitment to teamwork and collaboration.
    • Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
    • Willingness to travel; valid driver’s license is required.

Qualifications

• • • Bachelor’s and/or Graduate degree, or comparable relevant experience, with a focus on environmental studies, business, finance, or related areas such as agricultural economics.
    • 3 years minimum of relevant professional experience in conservation, community development, planning, environmental policy, or a related field.

Physical Requirements

• • • Frequently sits for long periods.
    • Frequently speaks, reads, writes, and uses a computer keyboard.
    • May require occasional standing, walking, lifting, stooping, and bending.
    • Regular travel to project locations; valid driver’s license is required.

Please note: If you do not wholly meet the above qualifications but believe you are otherwise well-suited to meet the needs of this position, we encourage you to apply.

How To Apply

Send application materials to [email protected]. Attach a cover letter that includes where you learned of the job posting along with your resume. Applications without a cover letter are not likely to be considered.

Applications will be actively reviewed on a rolling basis from the time of posting in January 2026. Early submissions may receive priority consideration. If you are interested in applying for this position, please submit your application as soon as possible. We will contact you if we would like to schedule an interview.

This is a full-time position requiring 37.5 hours per week within regular business hours; typically 9am-5pm. The role is remote, based in Chattanooga, TN. We will accept applicants from Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia.

Pay for this position is $63,000-$83,000, commensurate with the candidate’s skill level and experience. The recruiting team is committed to sharing details regarding compensation based on the candidate’s qualifications during the interview process.

OSI is an equal opportunity employer. We recognize that our conservation mission is best advanced by the contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, experiences, beliefs, and cultures. We are committed to cultivating and retaining a diverse and inclusive work environment that fosters belonging.

OSI offers accommodations for individuals with disabilities in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please email [email protected] with “Request for Accommodation” in the subject line.

OSI does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, height, weight, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.